Preview: Redhawks hope athleticism translates to wins

Southeast Missouri State's men will feature a new-look team this season after graduation fairly depleted the Redhawks.

But what ninth-year coach Gary Garner's Redhawks might have lost in experience, they hope to make up for with improved athleticism.

"This is the most athletic team we've had in a while, and hopefully that will allow us to defend better," Garner said. "We haven't been a very good defensive team the past few years. If we can defend and rebound, then I think we can be pretty successful."

The Redhawks went 15-14 overall last year and 9-7 in the Ohio Valley Conference, good for a fifth-place tie. Southeast upset Murray State in the first round of the OVC Tournament before losing in the semifinals.

Southeast lost its top three scorers --including OVC leading scorer Dainmon Gonner and Reggie Golson, who combined to average about 37 points per game -- and top two rebounders, including Golson, who tied for first in the conference.

The Redhawks return just four players from last year, the lone starters being junior guard Terrick Willoughby -- the leading returning scorer at 9.8 points per game -- and sophomore point guard Paul Paradoski (1.9 ppg), who led the OVC in assist-to-turnover ratio.

Also back are senior centers Ketshner Guerrier (4.7 ppg) and Waylon Francis (1.8 ppg). Guerrier missed all but six games last year with a knee injury.

Senior guard Roy Booker, a Montana transfer who has been projected as the OVC newcomer of the year by several publications, will join Willoughby and Paradoski in Southeast's three-guard lineup.

Slated to start up front along with Guerrier is junior college transfer Andrais Thornton at forward.

Also expected to receive considerable playing time are junior college transfers Eric Burtin and David Johnson, who both can play forward and guard.

Two more junior college transfers are center Tyrell White and forward John Chappell, while guard/forward Eric Jones is the lone freshman. Jones, one of Southeast's top athletes, should be able to help right away defensively.

"I like this group," Garner said. "With so many new players, it's going to take us some time to blend together, but I think we have all the ingredients to be an improved team."

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Southeast Men

Coach: Gary Garner, ninth season (119-112)

Assistants: Ronnie Dean, Robert Guster, Toby Lane

Last season: 15-14 (9-7 OVC, T-fifth place), lost to Eastern Kentucky in semifinals of OVC Tournament

Returning starters

Terrick Willoughby 6-4 Jr. G

Paul Paradoski 6-0 So. G

Rest of roster

Ketshner Guerrier 6-7 Sr. C

Waylon Francis 6-8 Sr. C

Roy Booker 6-2 Sr. G

Andrais Thornton 6-8 Jr. F

John Chappell 6-6 Jr. F

Tyrell White 6-7 Jr. C

Eric Burton 6-4 Jr. G

David Johnson 6-4 Jr. G

Eric Jones 6-4 Fr. G

Jared Ritter 5-11 So. G

Remaining Schedule

Nov. 24 -- at South Dakota State, 7 p.m.

Nov. 27 -- at Nebraska, 2 p.m.

Dec. 3 -- at Tennessee-Martin*, 6 p.m.

Dec. 8 -- Tennessee State*, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 10 -- Tennessee Tech*, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 16 -- Central Methodist, 7:30 p.m.

Dec. 19 -- at Samford*, 7 p.m.

Dec. 21 -- at Jacksonville State*, 7 p.m.

Dec. 28 -- at Illinois, 7 p.m.

Jan. 2 -- Eastern Kentucky*, 6 p.m.

Jan. 5 -- at Eastern Illinois*, 7:35 p.m.

Jan. 7 -- at Murray State*, 7:15 p.m.

Jan. 14 -- Austin Peay*, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 19 -- at Tennessee State*, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 21 -- at Tennessee Tech*, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 26 -- Morehead State*, 7:30 p.m.

Jan. 28 -- Murray State*, 3 p.m.

Jan. 30 -- at Austin Peay*, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 4 -- Tennessee-Martin*, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 9 -- at Morehead State*, 6:45 p.m.

Feb. 11 -- at Eastern Kentucky*, 6:30 p.m.

Feb. 15 -- Eastern Illinois*, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 18 -- at ESPN Bracket Buster, TBA

Feb. 23 -- Samford*, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 25 -- Jacksonville State*, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 28 -- OVC Tournament first round, campus sites, TBA

March 3 -- OVC Tournament semifinals, Nashville, Tenn., TBA

March 4 -- OVC Tournament finals, Nashville, Tenn., TBA

* -- Ohio Valley Conference game